African Century

The African Century is a term that has a variety of meanings. First, the term expresses the belief that the 21st century will bring peace, prosperity and cultural revival to Africa, or is used to draw attention to the need of such an evolution. It is used in this way by among others Thabo Mbeki, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and David J. O'Reilly [ [http://www.nathanielturner.com/africandiaspora21stcentury.htm African Diaspora in the 21st Century ] ] [ [http://www.dfa.gov.za/docs/speeches/2001/dzum0130.htm Address by Minister Dlamini Zuma to the South African Institute of International Affairs, Johannesburg 30 January 2001 ] ] [http://www.chevron.com/news/speeches/2004/2004-11-05_oreilly.asp] . The stability and prosperity of democratic South Africa since the fall of the apartheid regime is often used as an example that such evolution is possible. The creation of the African Union in 2002 is seen as one of the first steps in this evolution.

Indeed, the first decade of the 21st Century brought much hope. The last African colony, Namibia, became independent at the beginning of the last decade, majority rule was established in South Africa, and there was a revival of democracy in many parts of Africa. But, hope that the 21st century would be the African century was quickly muted. Rwandan genocide, followed by continuing Dafur genocide, manipulation of elections or completely ignoring the elections or the outcome of elections by some leaders diverted Africa's attention from more urgent issues of civil wars, AIDS, malaria, and education. Investment in peace, health, and education was recognized by many African leaders as the essential element for economic and social emancipation that are necessary for making the 21st Century to be the African Century.

ee also

*American Century
*Africanisation
*Afrocentrism
*African Renaissance
*Asian Century
*European Century
*Millennium Development Goals

References